From ''finalization'' to ''Mode 2'': old wine in new bottles?

Discussions about ''new forms of knowledge-production'' refer to purportedly fundamental changes in the organization of science. A closer look reveals that these changes pertain to a particular sector of science, i.e. policy-related fields. It is suggested that a better understanding of the kind and scope of changes would be achieved by viewing them as resulting from a ''scientification'' of society and a correlate ''politicization'' of science, both of which processes signify the emergence of the knowledge society. Ironically, the ''finalization thesis'', which foresaw much of this two decades ago, met with apposition, while the new claims were embraced. This is explained by the context of legitimation.